A robotic arm controlled by the International Space Station just captured the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. At that point, they started the docking process but the Dragon successfully completed the first part of its historic voyage.

Yesterday, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft performed a series of approach maneuvers getting near the International Space Station to test the proper operation of its navigation systems that allow it to make very precise adjustments and the COTS Ultra-high-frequency Communication Unit (CUCU) during the approach procedures.

Being the first real test of this kind, the Dragon spacecraft arrived at about 2.4 km (about 1.5 miles) from the International Space Station. A series of procedures were tested to ensure that the Dragon could perform all the precision maneuvers that may be necessary during the approach to the station.

Originally, a flight of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft was planned indicated as COTS Demo Flight 2 (COTS means Commercial Orbital Transportation Services), which included only the testing of the approach procedures carried out yesterday before returning to Earth. Only later a new flight indicated as COTS Demo Flight 3 was to be attempted, which was to have the actual docking of the Dragon with the International Space Station.

Last year, following the success of the first two launches of the Falcon 9 rocket and the end of the Space Shuttle program, NASA and SpaceX decided to merge the two flights into the one indicated as Dragon C2+.

The start of this mission was initially scheduled for April 30 but had some delays due to some issues. Eventually, the Dragon spacecraft wass launched on May 22 and the long wait raised some doubts about the mission. Actually, given that it’s a test, it’s normal that there are problems that come out only at the moment in which the various systems are actually used, also resulting in aborting a launch literally at the last second.

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Today, the procedures for the approach and the docking of the Dragon spacecraft with the International Space Station went on for hours including the last tests. Each step of the approach was carefully watched and checked so that in case of problems the  mission could be aborted at any time.

During the approach, there was a problem with a LIDAR sensor of the Dragon, which aimed at the wrong reflector of the International Space Station. The procedure was then stopped and the Dragon was moved a little farther from the International Space Station to assess the problem.

From the control center they were able to send a command to narrow the focus of the Dragon LIDAR sensor to avoid receiving signals from the wrong reflectors. The approach procedure was then resumed.

The Dragon spacecraft successfully completed its subsequent approach to the International Space Station and was grabbed by a robotic arm that started steering it into the docking position. It’s an operation that will last a few hours but much simpler than the Dragon’s journey.

Tomorrow, after checking the air inside the Dragon spacecraft, the crew of the International Space Station will open the hatch and start unloading the supplies and scientific experiments. The Dragon is scheduled to leave on May 31.

After the launch on Tuesday, it’s another great moment for SpaceX, which is the first private company to achieve such a deed, and in general for space travel, which could finally start a new phase.